The Age of Innocence Chapter 17 Summary

Chapter 17 Summary

The day after Newland Archer returns from Florida, his sister, Janey, and his mother tell him that Madame Olenska came to visit them while he was gone. Archer asks if his mother liked her. Mrs. Archer replies that Madame Olenska was pleasant enough but her personal model of a young woman favors someone more like May. Archer responds by stating the obvious: Madame Olenska and May are two very different types of woman.

Later that day, Archer goes to see May’s grandmother, Mrs. Mingott. He tells her of his visit to Florida. Mrs. Mingott teases Archer about his “French” vacation, an allusion to his having snuck away from work in the middle of winter, but Archer defends his break by telling her that he went to Florida...